AIS Coordinates Production of One Million Masks

The Lycoming County United Way (LCUW) was the recipient of 500 masks and received a second shipment of 1,500 masks today, compliments of the United Way of North Central Mass (UWNCM). Earlier in 2020, UWNCM was approached by one of their corporate community partners to help with a philanthropic initiative during COVID-19. AIS, is an office furniture manufacturer located in Leominster, Massachusetts, have been active in United Way programs during the past several years, and are highly committed to community service. The masks will be distributed to community partners beginning next week.

AIS has been giving back to the communities it serves for over 30 years and started a program called Sew the Masks (www.sewthemasks.com) in the Spring of 2020 with the goal of making and donating one million high quality and reusable facemasks to first responders, non-profit organizations and those in need.

AIS retrofitted one of the seating lines in their factory into a facemask production area and then reached out to community sewers (endearingly called “Rosies” after the WWII icon, Rosie the Riveter) to help with producing facemasks. Through AIS’s in-house seamstresses and over 1000 community sewers in 45 states, AIS has donated over 250,000 facemasks to essential workers, schools, non-profits, and individuals in need. They recently provided Massachusetts polling workers in 267 towns across the state with 26,000 facemasks to be used on or before Election Day and donated almost 5000 masks to polling workers in Washington, D.C.

Frances Longton, Volunteer Center Manager at UWNCM reached out to John Emge, Northeast Regional Engagement Director with United Way Worldwide, who contacted local United Ways across the northeastern United States to donate and distribute 150,000 masks to organizations in need across the country.

“UWNCM is proud to partner with AIS office furniture in Leominster and offer local United Ways the opportunity to provide high-quality and reusable masks for free to individuals and families in need of additional assistance during these difficult times,” said Longton.

Ron Frick, President of the Lycoming County United Way, said “We are thankful for this gift from our friends and colleagues in New England. This collaboration shows the power of partnerships and will benefit our own community partners who may need another round of masks. We are grateful for the network of local United Ways and for the corporate partnership enjoyed by UWNCM and AIS. The response to the first 500 masks was so good that AIS is sending us 1,000 more!”

According to Melyssa McHale, Director of Community Impact, masks will be distributed to community partners on a first-come, first-served basis and 200 masks have already been distributed to Family Promise of Lycoming County, Sojourner Truth Ministries and American Rescue Workers-Williamsport.

For more information or to request masks, please reach out to Melyssa or Ron.

Supporting the Lycoming County United Way means supporting your community and enabling our organization to continue to fund the critical programs our partners provide. Your investment in the Lycoming County United Way helps ensure that people in communities in Lycoming, Sullivan and Tioga Counties continue to have these resources available to them.

Questions regarding the Lycoming County United Way, please contact Ron Frick, President at 570.666.4382.

To give to the Lycoming County United Way visit us at http://www.lcuw.org and click the GIVE button or text LIVEUNITED to 50155.
About Lycoming County United Way (LCUW)

Lycoming County United Way is a charitable non-profit organization that builds partnerships to solve community problems and raises funds for human service programs. We fight for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in every community. Working with community partners, we mobilize the collective resources in our communities to strengthen families and change the lives of people in Lycoming, Sullivan, and Tioga counties. This is done by assessing the needs of each community, generating resources, investing in programs, and measuring results. For more information, visit http://lcuw.org/, or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
About AIS

Founded in 1989, AIS believes that good ideas will get you everywhere. Over the past 30 years, we’ve evolved from a start-up based on the simple intent to adopt lean manufacturing to become one of the most highly regarded names in the industry. AIS has earned acclaim for product design, ground-breaking manufacturing and unparalleled sustainability across the industry and within our local and regional communities.

And, our deep roots in New England are a great source of pride for us. AIS set out to disrupt the industry through true innovation and sustainability—a vision that has consistently paid off for our company and our customers. The talented, enthusiastic AIS team has virtually reinvented product development and manufacturing processes, helping us grow far faster than industry benchmarks and earning OFDA Manufacturer Tremendous growth and recognition. of the Year every year since 2010. Today, with sales teams across North America and 800+ employees at our new 600,000-square-foot factory and headquarters, we’ve risen to annual sales of more than $220 million. One thing, however, will never change—our commitment to superior products with industry-beating lead times and attractive prices. Visit us at http://www.ais-inc.com
About United Way of North Central Mass (UWNCM)

We improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of our community to advance the common good. We unite volunteers, supporters and nonprofit and corporate partners to create positive, lasting changes in the region we call home. Through our vast network of programs and services, we connect the community with resources and solutions. Together, we focus on the three building blocks to a better life: Education, health and financial stability. To learn more, visit us at http://www.uwncm.org or on Facebook.